Proverbs 14:24

24 The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the folly of fools yields folly.

Proverbs 14:24 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
24 The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.
English Standard Version (ESV)
24 The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the folly of fools brings folly.
New Living Translation (NLT)
24 Wealth is a crown for the wise; the effort of fools yields only foolishness.
The Message Bible (MSG)
24 The wise accumulate wisdom; fools get stupider by the day.
American Standard Version (ASV)
24 The crown of the wise is their riches; [But] the folly of fools is [only] folly.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
24 The crown of wise people is their wealth. The stupidity of fools is just that--stupidity!
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
24 The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the foolishness of fools produces foolishness.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
24 The wealth of wise people is their crown. But the foolish ways of foolish people lead to what is foolish.

Proverbs 14:24 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 14:24

The crown of the wise [is] their riches
Riches being used by them to increase and improve their knowledge and wisdom, and for the good of men, are an honour to them, and give them credit and reputation among men of sense and goodness; see ( Ecclesiastes 7:11 Ecclesiastes 7:12 ) ; [but] the foolishness of fools [is] folly;
mere folly, extreme folly, just the same as it was; riches make them never the wiser; yea, their folly is oftentimes made more manifest through the ill use they make of their riches; spending them in the gratification of their sinful lusts; and making no use of them for their own improvement in knowledge, or for the good of their fellow creatures. The Targum is,

``the glory of fools is their folly;''
and that is no other than their shame, and in which they glory; such fools are wicked men.

Proverbs 14:24 In-Context

22 Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness.
23 All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
24 The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the folly of fools yields folly.
25 A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful.
26 Whoever fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge.

Cross References 1

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